A lanky, long-faced, laid-back but quietly compelling actor whose weathered looks give him a scruffy majesty ideal for Westerns, The Shadow was one of the last generation of contract players under the old studio system. Signed by 20th Century-Fox at about the same time as future co-star Tom Selleck, he managed to make his feature debut around a card table in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) before being loaned to Paramount where, clean-shaven and dashingly handsome, he joined the cast of the long-running CBS spy series "Mission: Impossible" for its final season as Dr. Doug Lang. Despite a misstep into feature leads with the dreadful horror film "Frogs" (1972), Elliott logged some significant screen time in two highly-acclaimed TV projects, the NBC miniseries "The Blue Knight" (1973) and the ABC movie "I Will Fight No More Forever" (1975), as well as making guest appearances on series like "Mannix" (CBS), "Hawaii Five-O" (CBS) and "Police Woman" (NBC) and starring in "Evel Knievel" (1974), a busted CBS pilot.
Elliott's breakthrough came in 1976 when he gained critical attention in the title role of the cult film "Lifeguard", displaying an imposing physical presence in his fine performance as an aging beach bum taking stock of his future. His objections to Paramount's suggestive marketing campaign of him as every girl's summer dream led to a public falling out with the studio as he admittedly "put my foot in my mouth several times because I felt so strongly about it" (NEW YORK POST, April 28, 1995). Worthy feature follow-ups were not forthcoming, though "The Legacy" (1979) did bring Elliott and future wife Katharine Ross together for the first of many collaborations. Instead he turned again to TV and began establishing himself as the quintessential cowboy in such projects as "Louis L'Amour's The Sacketts" (1979) and "Louis L'Amour's The Shadow Riders" (1982), both with Selleck. By this point in Elliott's career, a bushy mustache had practically become a trademark, and middle age had only increased his laconic, leathery appeal. Unfortunately, NBC's "The Yellow Rose" (1983-84), a barbecue-flavored primetime soap developed to rival CBS' "Dallas", failed to ignite audiences,
Elliott returned to features after six years with an acclaimed turn as Cher's tough-but-tender biker-boyfriend in "Mask" (1985), and his impressive contributions to "Prancer" (1989), "Sibling Rivalry" (1990) and "Rush" (1991) did not require him to strap on a six-shooter or ride a horse either. Still, it remains his iconic Western persona with which people identify most. A great fan of L'Amour's writing, he tried his hand at executive producing and co-adapting (with Ross and Jeffrey Meyer) the author's "Conagher" (1991), resulting in one of TNT's highest-rated originals. Elliott was excellent as Major General John Buford, the unsung hero of "Gettysburg" (1993), whose tiny force checked the advance of Confederate corps, insuring Union control of the "good ground," and provided rustic flavor as Virgil Earp in "Tombstone" (both 1993). After portraying an unforgiving marshal in "The Desperate Trail" (1994), he delivered an Emmy-nominated turn as Wild Bill Hickock in the CBS miniseries "Buffalo Girls" (1995). He also played legendary lawman Bill Tilghman in "You Know My Name" (1999), another TNT original which he executive produced. Continuing the trend on the big screen, he essayed a villainous corporate rancher, the very antithesis of Woody Harrelson's last real cowboy, in "The Hi-Lo Country" (1998).
Stars set to ride for charityThe Tribune-Democrat, PASam Elliott and Peter Fonda were on the short list – until they looked into travel and scheduling arrangements. “We can't get them in,” Childers said, pointing to major cutbacks in Pittsburgh International Airport flights. Despite the scheduling issues
LEGION BASEBALL: Senior Bellingham Post 7 scores 15 runs in winBellingham Herald, WASam Elliott earned the win to improve to 2-0 and Weston Smith got the save. Jeremy King went 3 for 3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double and Avery Bahr was 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double as well. Michael Hobson went 1 for 4
Tri-City bullfighter goes from rodeo to the big screenMid Columbia Tri City Herald, WAAnd now he's spent nearly two weeks filming on site in New Mexico for a movie called Did You Hear About the Morgans?, which stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Hugh Grant and Sam Elliott. He plays one of three bullfighters in the romantic comedy about a New
Glory,' Defiance' lead list of latest Blu-ray releasesSan Luis Obispo Tribune, CAAlso in the cast are Sam Elliott and Ben Gazzarra. "Bruce Almighty" (Universal, 2003, $29.98): Jim Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a guy who suddenly discovers that he has the powers of God. But will Bruce abuse such power? God (Morgan Freeman) finally steps
Don't Wash That Bathrobe; Lebowski Fest is ComingNBC Los Angeles, CABy ALYSIA GRAY PAINTER When first we saw the Coen brothers' "The Big Lebowski" years back, and there was that shot of Benito's tacos (when it used to be on Third), and the twinkling lights of our fair city, and Sam Elliott's gentlemanly, twang-filled
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Ben Gazzara, Sam Elliott, Kelly LynchHigh-Def Digest, CADalton (Patrick Swayze) is the best bar bouncer in the business, but he's anything but "typical." He's a little small for his trade, has a degree in philosophy and he believes in "being nice." But when he's hired to clean up the Double Deuce in the
Dons player ratings vs. EastleighHounslow Guardian, UKBy Sam Elliott » Defeat for the Dons at Eastleigh came in controversial fashion. Here, Sam Elliott bring you the player-by-player ratings from Saturday’s highly-charged 2-1 loss in Hampshire. James Pullen: Although Spitfires’ Tom Jordan clearly cheated
Sam Elliott Rom-Coms With Hugh GrantCinema BlendBy Josh Tyler: 2009-03-30 02:39:08 Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen are joining the cast of Did You Hear About The Morgans?, according to Production Weekly. The Sony project pairs up Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant in another one of those fish out
New safety signs for beachesThis is Somerset, UKThe signs are backed by experts including the Coastguard, RNLI, EnCams, which administers the Quality Coast Awards, and the Royal Lifesaving Saving Society UK. Council spokesman Sam Elliott said: "With more people using the beaches for pleasure,
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